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Notes: Frandsen to dig in vs. lefties

Notes: Frandsen to dig in vs. lefties

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By Chris Haft
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MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Kevin Frandsen could benefit more than any other Giant from the probable pitching matchups for this four-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

With three left-handers scheduled to start for Chicago, Frandsen might crack the lineup more often than usual. He started in Monday night's series opener against Cubs left-hander Rich Hill, and could appear again Tuesday against Sean Marshall and Thursday against Ted Lilly, both lefties. This would be a bonanza for Frandsen, who has started 22 games.

When Rich Aurilia and Pedro Feliz start, Frandsen's the only right-handed batter on San Francisco's bench, excepting backup catcher Guillermo Rodriguez, who's typically held in reserve for emergency purposes. Frandsen has capitalized on his sporadic activity by going 4-for-9 in his last nine games, partly explaining why the Giants declined to recall somebody from Triple-A Fresno who can bat right-handed, such as switch-hitter Daniel Ortmeier.

In Bochy's original lineup, which included left fielder Barry Bonds, Frandsen was stationed in right field, which would have been his fifth different position to start in this season. Frandsen has started 11 games at second base, six at shortstop, three at third and two in left field.

But Bonds' removal due to general soreness in his legs prompted Bochy to move Frandsen to left. Too bad, because Frandsen was ready for the novelty of right field. Asked before the lineup change if he was planning on taking extra pregame fielding practice in right, Frandsen jokingly said, "I think I'm just going to go cold turkey."

With Bonds scratched, center fielder Dave Roberts received a rare start against a left-handed pitcher. Roberts entered the game batting .178 (8-for-45) against lefties. Randy Winn, who rested Sunday after fouling a ball off his right foot the day before, rejoined the lineup in right field.

Bouncing back: Vinnie Chulk's resilience went relatively unnoticed last weekend against the Dodgers, who swept the three-game series.

Chulk allowed five runs and five consecutive hits in one-third of an inning Friday. It was his first appearance since June 30, a layoff stemming from bereavement leave to be with his ailing father and the All-Star break. Rustiness wasn't Chulk's problem as much as bad luck; the last three hits he yielded were bloop singles beyond any fielder's reach.